Cal Baseball Features Blue-Gold Series
BERKELEY - Cal baseball fans, the Golden Bears will be hosting the annual Blue-Gold series Nov. 7-9 at Evans Diamond. Friday's scrimmage begins at 4 p.m., Saturday's at 7 p.m. and Sunday's at 1 p.m.
Friday's game will be a pitching match-up between Ryan Mason (Gold team) versus Daulton Jefferies (Blue team). Gold team roster is highlighted by seniors Chris Paul and Brenden Farney and junior Devin Pearson. Blue team features top sophomores Aaron Knapp, Jefferies and Lucas Erceg.
A top pitcher for Esquer’s squad this spring will be 6-7 junior right-hander Mason, who finished his sophomore season 7-1 with a 3.06 ERA, including victories over Texas, Baylor, Washington, Stanford, Arizona, USC and Oregon. Another top returner is junior outfielder Pearson, who struggled with injuries in 2014, but had a stellar freshman year when he batted .302. Seniors Farney (.308 average in 2014) and Paul (2014 Northwoods League All-Star) will also supply the Bears with experience.
“Looking ahead to next spring, we are progressing toward our goal of returning to postseason play and a chance to return to the College World Series,” said Esquer, who was the National Coach of the Year in 2011 when he led the Bears to Omaha. “With the experience gained in 2014 by our four full-time freshman players (third baseman Lucas Erceg, outfielder Aaron Knapp, Daulton Jefferies, Robbie Tenerowicz), a group of hungry sophomores and juniors, and a solid freshman recruiting class, the future of Cal baseball looks bright.”
In addition to the Blue-Gold, Cal baseball will be hosting a scrimmage versus Pepperdine at 12 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 16, free to the general public.
The 2015 schedule for Cal baseball is still being finalized, but the Bears will be hosting a three-game series against Duke, Feb. 13-15 at Evans Diamond to open the year. Cal will also be hosting a four-game series versus 2014 CWS participant UC Irvine Feb. 20-22, as well as Pac-12 series versus Oregon (March 13-15), Washington State (April 2-4), Stanford (April 10-12), Arizona State (May 1-3) and USC (May 16-18).
Baseball fans should be on the lookout for the announcement of the date of other Cal baseball special events as well, including the fourth annual Fanfest at Evans Diamond in the spring prior to the opening series versus Duke.